List Of Local Markets In Benue State And Their Location
Benue State is known as the "Food Basket of the Nation" in Nigeria, and for good reason. This state is rich in agriculture, and its local markets are a big part of everyday life. These markets are not just places to buy and sell; they are centers of culture, tradition, and community. In this post, we will take you through the major markets in Benue State. We will include their locations, what they are famous for, and the days they operate. The language used is simple so that everyone can understand.
1. Makurdi LGA (State Capital)
Makurdi is the capital of Benue State. It has several big and small markets that serve the local people and traders from other states.
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Modern Market: This is the biggest market in Makurdi. It is located in the township area, along Ahmadu Comassie Road. Here, you can buy farm produce, clothing, household items, and building materials. It also has banks and shops for wholesale buyers.
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Wurukum Market: Found along Abu King Shuluwa Road, this market is popular for fresh vegetables, yams, and fish. Many farmers bring their products directly to sell here.
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High-Level Market: Located in the High-Level area, it is well-known for selling fresh fish, meat, and other daily needs.
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Wadata Market: This market is behind McCarthy Stadium on Port Harcourt Street. On Wednesdays, it is full of fresh fish, yams, and dry fish. On Tuesdays, you can find second-hand clothes here.
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North Bank Market: Located near NASME Barracks and opposite St. Mary’s Catholic Church. It is a great place for buying livestock, fruits, cosmetics, and home goods.
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Railway Market: This market is close to the railway in Makurdi. It is a good place to buy fresh fruits like bananas, mangoes, and oranges.
Smaller markets in Makurdi include Fiidi, Kanshio, Akpehe, and Malina. These markets mostly serve the daily needs of people living nearby.
2. Zaki-Biam Yam Market (Ukum LGA)
This market is located in Zaki-Biam town in Ukum Local Government Area. It is the biggest yam market in the world! It operates mostly on Saturdays and receives more than 200 truckloads of yams every day. Traders come from all over Nigeria and even from other countries like Ghana and Cameroon.
In 2020, a large yam storage facility was built here. It has sheds, boreholes, good roads, and office spaces. This helps traders store and transport their yams more easily.
3. Gboko LGA
Gboko is divided into different districts, and each one has its own markets.
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Akpagher Market (Mbatyav district): Found along the Gboko-Aliade road. It operates every 5 or 6 days. You can buy yams, maize, soya beans, and cooking pots here.
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Ikpah Market (Mbatyierev district): This is the main market in this area. Other smaller markets include Luga, Yenge, Agayo, and Ishuwa.
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Tse-kucha Market (Mbayion district): This market sells tomatoes, onions, pepper, sweet potatoes, and salt. Other nearby markets are Abetse and Apine.
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Tarukpe Market (Yandev district): Sells mangoes, oranges, and soya beans. Other markets in this area are Apeinumbu and Ityeku.
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Ortese Market (Ipav district): This is another big market, with smaller ones in nearby villages.
Most markets in Gboko run every 5 or 6 days, following the Tiv traditional calendar.
4. Logo LGA
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Ugba Market: This market opens on Wednesdays. It is known for selling cassava, yams, and other local farm products.
5. Otukpo LGA
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Allan Market (Akpa district): This market operates on Wednesdays.
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Otobi Market: Opens every Friday and is a busy trading spot for local farmers.
6. Ohimini LGA
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Onyagede Market: Though in Ohimini, this market is close to Otukpo. It is popular for selling garri, which is taken to places like Kano, Rivers, and Kogi States.
7. Okpokwu LGA
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Eke Market: This market runs every 7 days.
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Ugbokolo Market: It opens every 6 days and serves as a major trading point for the area.
8. Agatu LGA
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Obagaji Market: Opens on Saturdays. You can buy cassava, crayfish, and goat meat here.
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Oweto and Enungba Markets: These are smaller markets where people buy and sell farm produce.
9. Ado LGA
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Ojii Market: This market operates every 6 days. It is a good place to buy local food items.
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Idokpo Market: Also opens every 6 days. It is known for palm oil, vegetables, and spices.
10. Gwer East LGA
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Ikpayongo Market: This market opens every 5 days. Traders sell yams, grains, and fruits.
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Igbo Market: Located near the border with Gboko. It also follows the 5-day cycle.
11. Kwande LGA
Kwande has many markets that run on a 5-day cycle. Some of them are:
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Adikpo
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Gbajir
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Amahundu
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Koti-Shangev-Ya
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Ikyogen
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Achia
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Jato-Aka (Saturday)
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Diiv (Monday)
These markets sell farm goods like yams, oranges, cassava, and palm oil.
12. Vandeikya LGA
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Ihugh Market: Known for rice, potatoes, and tomatoes.
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Agbo Market: Also sells citrus fruits, cassava, and spices.
Other village markets include Gbem, Dagba, and Agu. These markets support the farming communities.
13. Katsina-Ala LGA
This area has several important markets:
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Tomanyiin (Thursday)
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Tor Donga (Monday)
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Gbor Tongov (Friday)
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Abaji (Wednesday)
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Amaafu (Tuesday)
Each of these markets operates on a specific day and is popular for local products like yams, fruits, and vegetables.
Summary Table of Major Markets in Benue State
| LGA | Major Market(s) | Market Days | Key Products |
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| Makurdi | Modern, Wurukum, Wadata, High-Level, North Bank | Varies | Fish, meat, fruits, clothes |
| Ukum | Zaki-Biam | Saturday | Yam (wholesale) |
| Gboko | Akpagher, Ikpah, Tse-kucha, Ortese | Every 5-6 days | Grains, vegetables, fruits |
| Logo | Ugba | Wednesday | Cassava, yams |
| Otukpo | Allan, Otobi | Wed/Fri | Garri, yams |
| Ohimini | Onyagede | Wednesday | Garri, grains |
| Okpokwu | Eke, Ugbokolo | Every 6-7 days | Yams, food items |
| Agatu | Obagaji | Saturday | Cassava, crayfish |
| Ado | Ojii, Idokpo | Every 6 days | Palm oil, spices |
| Gwer East | Ikpayongo, Igbo | Every 5 days | Fruits, grains |
| Kwande | Adikpo, Jato-Aka, Diiv | 5-day cycle | Yams, oranges |
| Vandeikya | Ihugh, Agbo | Varies | Rice, tomatoes |
| Katsina-Ala | Tomanyiin, Tor Donga, etc. | Varies | Farm produce |
Benue State has a very rich market culture. Most markets follow a local schedule—some open every five days, others every six or seven. These markets not only help people buy what they need, but they also support farmers, traders, and transporters. From yams in Zaki-Biam to fish in Makurdi, each market has something special to offer.
Whether you live in Benue or are planning to visit, exploring these local markets is a great way to experience the state's rich culture and economy.
